No matter what your tastes are, this is a great holiday season for PC gamers. It's no surprise that fans of real-time strategy have tons of great choices to fill up their days over the coming months but we're also seeing a couple of stellar titles in some long-neglected genres. Those gamers who bemoan the prevalence of MMOs will be happy to see two fantastic single-player RPGs on the list, while those who are hungry for a return of the days of classic adventure gaming will be pleased at the return of a certain dog and his rabbity friend. True, it's a sort of a sequelicious year for the PC, but most of the titles on this list are from some of our favorite series. Who are we to complain?
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Battlefield 2142
Publisher: Electronic Arts | Developer: Digital Illusions CE (DICE)
The Battlefield franchise has been with us for quite a few years now. The stunning entrance of the celebrated series with 1942 was a bit of a shock and an amazing new first-person shooter multiplayer experience. Over the last few years, EA and DICE have been trying to perfect the product in many ways. While some decisions are certainly questionable the fact remains that the Battlefield franchise is still a lot of fun. The latest entry, Battlefield 2142 brings the battle to the near future in a world where a new ice age has swept Earth and new powerful governmental and industrial factions battle for control of the remaining livable landscape. DICE has taken their persistent soldier system and upgraded it to allow for more unlockable weapons and items, tightened up squad interaction even more, added the fun new Titan mode, and created some more entertaining maps for players to fight across. 2142 isn't going to blow anyone's socks off with its creativity but it's definitely still a great online multiplayer experience.
If you or anyone you love is a fan of real-time strategy games, Relic's newest offering should be at the top of the list. Company of Heroes offers one of the purest tactical and strategic war games we've seen in quite some time. Before the game was released there was some talk that the overused World War II setting would hamper its success but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Everything in the game is immaculately presented from the terrific cutscenes and briefings to the incredible use of sound in every aspect and the incredible amount of detail in the visuals. Add in the completely destructible environments and the field of battle comes alive in ways that haven't previously been possible in both the expertly designed single player campaign and furious online multiplayer modes. This is one of the most exciting, fast-paced, and visually explosive RTSs ever to be released on the PC and is a surefire winner for strategy fans this holiday season.
Twenty years ago the movie WarGames rode in on a wave of anxiety about nuclear war and our reliance on artificial intelligence. Fully capturing the spirit of that movie, developer Introversion has created a sublime simulation of global thermonuclear war that captures all the excitement and horror of the ultimate nuclear showdown. As the game's tagline suggests, it's not about who wins, but about who loses the least. The plain interface is at once both completely detached and immediately absorbing. It's easy enough to launch a missile at a small diamond representing a major city but when you see the death toll start to rise, you'll begin to appreciate just how unsettling the game can be. The game's simple and elegant design allows for numerous complex strategies as you strive to minimize your own losses once the subs surface and the silos pop open. Delivering fun multiplayer sessions that are as intense as they are brief, DEFCON is a fantastic and frightening way to spend your time.
Role-playing games aren't as prevalent on the PC as they used to be so it's hard not to get excited each time we see a new game released. Gothic isn't as well known in the US as it should be after two very decent first titles but developer Piranha Bytes is hoping that the third time is the charm. Set in a fantasy universe where orcs have attacked human kingdoms, players will adventure as the nameless hero through an open world where every decision affects their path through the game. What differentiates Gothic III from most other RPGs on the PC is the skill based combat that requires timing and planning. This is an action RPG and is likely to be slightly difficult for many players but once the complex melee combat system is learned the experience is rewarding. Those gamers out there looking for some high-fantasy adventure are likely to find a lot to love in this big RPG out of Germany.
Publisher: 10Tacle Studios | Developer: SimBin Development Team
There are a number of racing games that have come out for the PC since developers started making games but the number has definitely be dwindling, especially in the simulation category. Games like Need for Speed: Carbon definitely have the mass market appeal, but players looking for realistic cars and some incredible competition generally don't have much to choose from. Thankfully the developers at SimBin started their labors of love. GTR 2 is a racer for sim-fanatics and those that are looking into becoming sim-fanatics. This high-octane racer models physics brilliantly and challenges players with some aggressive AI in single-player and very solid multiplayer gaming online. Updated visuals and a new driving school are among the big additions to this first franchise sequel. The only thing new racers might want to beware of is a jungle-like interface that has a ton of information that can be hard to wade through. Those that feel like they can brave the adventure are in for one hell of a ride.
